Otago Lakes District Police were pleased to find most drivers keeping safe during a recent road policing operation in Central Otago during the Alexandra Blossom Festival.
Over three days from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September, Police staff conducted checks of more than 1200 drivers.
Checkpoints were set up in Ettrick and Cromwell across the period, and there was increased Police presence on the roads.
The checkpoints focused on the key elements of keeping people safe on the roads: restraint, impairment, distracted drivers and speed.
Generally those stopped were found to be complying with the law.
However it was disappointing to find the message about road safety is still not getting through to some people, says Southern District Road Policing Manager Inspector James Ure.
“Thirty offences were detected and ticketed in the three-day period, including four occasions in which drivers were dangerously impaired by alcohol, returning evidential breath alcohol tests in excess of the legal limit.
“While that number might not seem so high out of 1200 vehicles, that’s 30 cases where safety has been compromised, and someone’s life potentially put at risk.
“We are asking you again – please, buckle up, put down the mobile phone, slow down, and if you’ve been drinking, using drugs, or you’re excessively tired, please don’t get behind the wheel.
“It’s not just a matter of avoiding a ticket – it might save your life.”
